Vintage lingerie

We love this 1950s bullet bra ad from Formfit - "For a Sweetheart of a Figure".

The Formfit Company was established in 1917 with headquarters in Chicago as a maker of women’s “foundation garments” – mainly corsets and girdles. It was one of the largest, if not the largest manufacturers of such products in the world. At their Chicago headquarters they had a building a block long and eight stories high which housed manufacturing, shipping and sales. Later they also became known for other types of lingerie, particularly bras and briefs.

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Vintage lingerie

Another in our series of vintage lingerie advertisements...

A beautifully worked 1950s Formfit ad for their "Life" bra and girdle lingerie - To condition you for the new "Outer-Look"...the new Formfit "Under-Look".

The Formfit Company was established in 1917 with headquarters in Chicago as a maker of women's foundation garments – mainly corsets and girdles. It was one of the largest, if not the largest manufacturers of such products in the world. At their Chicago headquarters they had a building a block long and eight stories high which housed manufacturing, shipping and sales. Later they also became known for other types of lingerie, particularly bras and briefs.

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Vintage lingerie

Another in our series of vintage lingerie advertisements...

Nice artwork in this 1950s French ad for a girdle and bra.

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Vintage ingerie

Another in our series of vintage lingerie advertisements...

1950s bullet bra ad from Lovable - "For Lovable Curves".

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Vintage lingerie

Another in our series of vintage lingerie advertisements - this time it's French and dates from 1957. A seductive bra and garter-belt set "pour la femme raffinée".

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Vintage lingerie

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Another in our series of vintage lingerie advertisements...

This bullet bra advertisement comes from classic brand "Lovable" and was published in 1952.

Vintage lingerie

Another in our series of vintage lingerie advertisements...

This beautiful advertisement comes from classic brand "Perma-lift" and was published in 1951 - a pink bullet bra and girdle set.

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Vintage lingerie

Another in our series of vintage lingerie advertisements...

This fabulous corselette is from "J Roussel Ltd (of Paris)" who in this advertisement proudly invites us to premises in London and other major UK cities to view their Roussel Belts, Brassierres, Corselettes & Panties.

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Vintage lingerie

This vintage lingerie scan from an early 1950s Sears catalogue was sent to The Pinup Files some ago. It has to be one of our favourite examples of vintage catalogue art and we thought we'd share it with you.

Note the science fiction influences (which was big box office and an obsession throughout the 50s) in the title of the New "Heavenly Bodies" ensemble. Girdles and bras for the atomic age and what every fashionable inter-galactic femme fatale would be wearing under her space suit.

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Copyright © Sears

Vintage lingerie

Our collection of vintage Sears catalogues provide a fascinating glimpse into everyday Americana of the 1950s. This scan from the 1950 spring edition shows more seriously enticing ways of keeping that pin-up girl figure, and the price is very reasonable! The Pin-up Files is hoping Santa will be bringing us more 1950s Sears catalogues this Christmas.

On a personal note, my girlfriend has made me promise to buy a collection of girdles retrospectively from this catalogue and have them shipped forward in time...

Copyright © Sears

Vintage lingerie

Our collection of vintage Sears catalogues provide a fascinating glimpse into everyday Americana of the 1950s. This scan from the 1950 spring edition shows two beautiful girdle designs from the lingerie pages.

The design on the left:

"Jr. Girdles, 3 lengths" - Lustrous rayon and cotton satin . . . front panel is attractively stitched. Cotton elastic sides. Three light bones at front for tummy control...

The design on the right:

"Waist Whittler" - Get set for the spring fashions. French styling by Charmode to "nip-in" your waist the fashionable way; makes your clothes fit better, look smarter...

Two different girdle designs from 1950 - and look at the prices!
Copyright © Sears

Stockings :: fashion heels

Our collection of vintage Sears catalogues provide a fascinating glimpse into everyday Americana of the 1950s. This scan from the 1955 midwinter edition shows everyday nylons for sale at everyday prices. The sheer variety in vision heel design is a little surprising and very seriously glamorous from today's perspective!

Three different types of "Fashion Heels" from 1955 - and look at the prices!
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